The co-owner of a Long Beach Island bar where a bouncer was charged with aggravated assault says a belligerent customer hit his head on a potted plant after being thrown out of the bar and was not beaten by the employee.
Toby Sweeney, who owns the Terrace Tavern with her husband Michael Sweeney, said the bouncer, Kenneth Widmer, had to remove the "incredibly belligerent" man around closing time on Sept. 29.
The patron lost his footing before hitting his head, according to Toby Sweeney, who made it clear that Widmer didn't punch the man or rough him up in any way.
"My husband and I are very sorry this man was hurt as a result of having to be ejected," Sweeney said in a phone interview Friday morning. "It was a terrible accident.
"It's a misunderstanding," Sweeney said. "We're not criminals - we're good people. This has just been an incredibly unfortunate turn of events."
The victim suffered a serious head injury around 2 a.m. on Sept. 29, according to police. A nurse who was at the bar on her wedding day helped treat the man, giving him chest compressions and other aid. An off-duty member of the Beach Haven first aid squad who was also at the tavern assisted the nurse, police said.
Toby Sweeney said the man was treated and released from a local hospital within hours. She added that the man apologized for harassing a bartender.
The Sweeneys, who live in Barnegat, were charged by Long Beach Township police on Wednesday with hindering and released with summonses. Michael Sweeney provided false statements to authorities while Toby Sweeney withheld evidence, police said.
Widmer, meanwhile was arrested last week and charged with aggravated assault, unsworn falsification to authorities and two counts of criminal mischief.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.